STORY: Barcelona midfielder Pedri signs long-term extension
SHOOTING TIME: Jan. 30, 2025
DATELINE: Jan. 31, 2025
LENGTH: 00:01:17
LOCATION: BARCELONA, Spain
CATEGORY: SPORTS

SHOTLIST:
1. various of FC Barcelona player Pedri signing contract
2. SOUNDBITE (Spanish): PEDRI, FC Barcelona player

STORYLINE:

FC Barcelona announced on Thursday that 22-year-old Spanish international midfielder Pedri has signed a contract extension until 2030.

The news means that Barcelona will keep one of its key players until the end of the decade when Pedri will be approaching his 28th birthday.

Pedri is the third Barcelona player to extend his contract with the club in the past fortnight. Central defender Ronald Araujo lengthened his stay until 2031 and left-back Gerard Martin signed on until 2028.

Pedri joined Barcelona in 2020 as a 17-year-old from Las Palmas. He very quickly became a fixture of the first team, making 52 appearances in his debut campaign.

With an eye for goals, work-rate, and ability to find a defense-splitting pass, Pedri also quickly established himself in the Spain national team. Pedri played in the 2021 UEFA European Championships, which saw Spain reach the semifinals. The Canary Islands native also formed part of the squad for that year's Tokyo Olympic Games, in which Spain took the silver medal.

However, a lack of proper rest was likely a factor in Pedri suffering a series of injuries in the following season. The midfielder made just 12 league appearances in the 2021-22 campaign.

Those issues look to be behind Pedri, who has played for Barca in 31 games so far this season.

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Barcelona, Spain.
(XHTV)